Abstract: A transmission gear synchronizer apparatus includes first and second friction races mounted for movement coaxially with each other in a spaced apart relationship, with the friction races being mounted for coaxial movement into and out of engagement with friction surfaces. An annular shiftable clutch collar is positioned between the two friction races, with the clutch collar being mounted for coaxial movement with respect to the friction races to enable engagement of the clutch collar with transmission gears, the clutch collar having at least one orifice through which a pin can be extended. A first pin extends through the clutch collar orifice, and is secured at one end to the first friction race, with the other, distal end of the first pin extending toward the second friction race, where alignment of the first pin within the clutch collar orifice is required to enable the clutch collar to move axially with respect to the friction races.

Abstract: A noise and vibration dampening connector for a two-piece transmission shift lever assembly includes a lower shift lever member and an upper shift lever member which are connected together by the dampening connector. The upper end of the lower shift lever member is cylindrical in shape, having a flat formed thereon. The lower end of the upper shift lever member has a cylindrical knurled surface. The dampening connector includes a hollow cylindrical sleeve having an axial bore formed therethrough. The axial bore is stepped so as to form an internal shoulder which divides the sleeve into an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the sleeve has a relatively large internal diameter and a relatively thin wall thickness, while the lower portion of the sleeve has a relatively small internal diameter and a relatively thick wall thickness. A welch plug is seated on the internal shoulder, and a cup-shaped rubber isolator is seated on the welch plug.

Abstract: A transmission synchronizer assembly includes a pair of annular friction races mounted for movement co-axially with each other in a fixed, spaced apart relationship, with the spacing between the two friction races being at a fixed distance, the friction races being mounted for coaxial movement as a unit into and out of engagement with friction surfaces. An annular shiftable clutch collar is positioned between the two friction races, the clutch collar being mounted for coaxial movement with respect to the friction races to enable engagement of the clutch collar with transmission gears, the clutch collar having two or more circumferentially spaced orifices for receiving pins which are mounted through the orifices to resiliently urge the clutch collar into a roughly central position with respect to the friction races, the pins being shorter than the fixed distance between the two friction races, and not extending into the friction races.

Abstract: A shifter housing assembly for a multiple speed power transmission which includes a die cast shifter housing, a plurality of axially shiftable cylindrical shifter rods slidably contained in circumferentially open, part-cylindrical notches in the housing, a poppet type interlock mechanism that is contained in a circumferentially open, interrupted notch which extends through the circumferentially open notches to engage the shifter rods and limit the axial shifting of the shifter rods, and a stamped steel retainer plate which is removably attached to the housing to retain the shifter rods in the part-cylindrical notches and the interlock mechanism in the interrupted notch. The retainer plate has a plurality of part-cylindrical notch portions which are aligned with the part-cylindrical notches in the housing to form generally cylindrical passages for the shifter rods.

Abstract: An improved spacer for a transmission gear shaft facilitates axial locations of pairs of gears or bearings along the shaft. In a preferred form the spacer comprises an open coil member which defines a helicoidal body portion resiliently disposed between a pair of bearings. In addition to axially locating the bearings relative to one another, the helicoidal body portion facilitates the flow of splash and spray oil along the shaft between the bearings. In the same preferred form, the spacer is made of a non-heat treated high carbon spring steel.

Abstract: A synchronizer spring pin provides an elongated single-piece S-shaped body disposed for installation in axially aligned apertures of a pair of opposed blocker rings. In a preferred form, the spring pin is positioned within a double-acting synchronizer clutch and defines a body of spring steel, the body having a reversely symmetrical orientation with respect to the blocker rings. Each end of the spring pin body defines a bight portion and a leg portion spaced from the bight portion in the normally unstressed position of the spring pin.

Abstract: A shift bracket assembly for a manually operated transmission provides a lighter and more desirable spring force on a transmission shift lever, with fewer parts than as required by the prior art. The bracket is disposed for affixation to, and movement with, an axially movable shift rail; the bracket including a transversely aligned plunger slidably disposed within a bore in the bracket. In a preferred embodiment the bore is stepped, and slidingly retains a mating stepped plunger, the plunger including a cam surface for continuous coaction with a spring and poppet ball at all operative positions of the plunger.

Abstract: A transmission interlock system includes poppet interlocks and pins alternately disposed transversely through and between alignable pin bores in the shift rods. The interlocks define small and large diameter portions disposed for extension into the pin bores. In a preferred form, both interlocks and pins define shoulders which limit movement of those members with respect to corresponding shift rods. Each interlock shoulder, excepting one in direct contact with a spring, is disposed for limiting movement thereof by contact with the extremity of a pin bore in a communicating rod, while each pin shoulder is disposed for making contact with a mating shoulder in a bore.

Abstract: A shift rod air interlock system provides a mechanical apparatus for insuring a neutral position in a two-speed air shifted compound transmission whenever air to an auxiliary air shift cylinder is interrupted. The apparatus prevents the transmission from being shifted into gear whenever an associated vehicle is stationary and when a power take-off unit is operative. In addition, a two-position air interlock plunger assembly provides a locking plunger which interfaces with a pair of detents in the shift rod, thus insuring that the auxiliary transmission is prevented from being shifted into neutral whenever the air system is interrupted while the vehicle is moving. In a preferred form, the invention utilizes a shift rod selectively movable between at least three positions, including an intermediate neutral position.

Abstract: The invention is apparatus for switching operating ranges for an air actuated governor for an engine for a vehicle. The governor establishes a maximum rpm for the engine when air under pressure is supplied to the governor and a lower maximum rpm for the engine when the supply of air to the governor is interrupted. The lower rpm range of the governor is engaged when the transmission of the vehicle is in a preselected gear.

Abstract: A compound transmission defining main and auxiliary gearboxes includes an auxiliary shift rail extending into both gearboxes for effecting joint interlock of the two units. The auxiliary shift rail includes an interlock bracket for actuation of a shift interlock element contained within the main gearbox. In a preferred embodiment, the bracket contains a pair of recesses disposed for engaging an interlock plunger, the recess having an angularly offset axis, perpendicular to but not intersecting the axis of the auxiliary shift rail. In another preferred embodiment, the bracket couples the auxiliary shift rail with a second axially spaced shift rail whereby axial movement of the auxiliary shift rail effects like movement of the second shift rail, the latter rail containing a pair of interlock plunger-receiving recesses.